Jessie Ryker-Crawford, PhD

Dr. Jessie Ryker-Crawford (White Earth Chippewa) is the Academic Dean of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, where she also serves as Professor of Museum Studies and Director of the MFA in Cultural Administration. She received her PhD in Sociocultural Anthropology through the University of Washington, exploring the crucial changes in the museum field through the advocacy and activism of U.S. Native American and Canadian First Nation tribal leaders, artists, and museum professionals.

She has presented material on her studies at various conferences including the National Congress of the American Indian, the International World Archaeological Congress, and the Association for Tribal Archives, Libraries & Museums.

Jessie currently sits on the board of the Journal for Museums and Social Issues and continues to act as a consultant for tribal museums and Native American cultural centers across the United States. She has served as a curator of the IAIA campus art gallery and through her work in the Museum Studies program trained many students on the art of curation and exhibition from a Native American lens.

Dr Jessie Ryker-Crawford began her undergraduate studies while living out of a small car with her 3-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. Striving to receive an associate degree in Studio Arts, she then hoped to pursue a teaching certificate. However, a remarkable professor, Nancy Mithlo, PhD, urged her to reach for her highest vision – which was, unthinkably, a doctoral degree. Jessie finally reached that pinnacle of academic success.

Jessie lives with her family in Santa Fe, New Mexico.